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Brian Johnson is returning to Provo and Joe Williams is back with the Utes.

Those developments help make Mississippi State's visit to BYU and Utah's trip to Oregon State even more fun — and they already were going to be interesting games this weekend. A closer look:

Mississippi State at BYU, 8:15 p.m. MDT Friday

Johnson, the winningest quarterback in Ute history, is in his third year as MSU's quarterbacks coach. He developed Dak Prescott, now starring for the Dallas Cowboys, but life in the post-Dak era is more difficult for the Bulldogs.

In his only action at LaVell Edwards Stadium, Johnson rallied the Utes in the fourth quarter in 2007. Utah took a 10-9 lead via a 15-play touchdown drive, only to have BYU answer with the famous fourth-and-18 play — Max Hall's pass to Austin Collie, leading to Harvey Unga's winning TD. Johnson's last pass was knocked down near the goal line.

Unga figures into Friday's story line, with Jamaal Williams needing 64 yards to overtake him as BYU's career rushing leader. Williams will have to work hard for those yards, just as he did against Michigan State — until breaking a 62-yard run in the last two minutes. And this will not be an easy game for the Cougars against a team loaded with Southeastern Conference athletes, but I like BYU's chances better than in next week's game at Boise State. The pick: BYU 24, Mississippi State 23.

Utah at Oregon State, 2 p.m. MDT Saturday

With a forecast calling for a 100-percent chance of rain and winds approaching 50 mph, Utah logically will have to run the ball. All of the Utes' injuries to running backs create some mystery in this matchup, including the potential return of Joe Williams.

He retired from football after Utah's Sept. 10 win over BYU, citing injuries. He's remembered for fumbling in the first half of that game. But it is worth noting that he also had consecutive gains of 7, 6 and 5 yards during the Utes' final possession — a drive that lasted more than 11 minutes and resulted in a key field goal.

Four weeks later, he responded to the coaching staff's invitation to rejoin the team, with the running back corps depleted. Zack Moss may be able to play after missing last week's win over Arizona. If not, Williams could have an important role.

Oregon State is rejuvenated after coach Gary Andersen's first Pac-12 victory in two seasons in Corvallis, a 47-44 overtime defeat of California. But the Beavers won't be able to duplicate their 474 rushing yards against Utah's defense.

Regardless, it will be worth tuning in just to see what the weather looks like. The pick: Utah 31, Oregon State 17.

Twitter: @tribkurt